The NYUSPS Division of Programs in Business (DPB) hosted its first Industry Connection Series (ICS) event of the Spring 2020 semester on Tuesday, February 4th. Michael Diamond, DPB’s Academic Director of Integrated Marketing & Communications, moderated a conversation with Sylvia Zhou ‘14 at the NYUSPS flagship building at 7 East 12th Street. Originally from Shanghai, Zhou is a graduate of DPB’s Public Relations & Corporate Communication program and now serves as the Global Industry Relations & Intelligence Lead at Facebook. Diamond and Zhou discussed her SPS experience as an international student, her professional trajectory, and advice on career success to an audience of over 100 students, faculty, and alumni. As a surprise gift, a handful of guests were invited to attend a private industry mixer at Facebook’s Park Avenue offices with Zhou later that evening.
In her current role, Zhou is responsible for driving Facebook’s industry relations and strategic partnerships globally. Prior to this position, she built and led Facebook’s industry marketing program in Asia Pacific as well as for the global Marketing Science team. She also drove Facebook’s thought leadership presence at tent poles including CES, MWC, and most recently, Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity. Before joining Facebook, Zhou spent several years at DiGennaro Communications, where she managed strategic communications for advertising agencies and media companies like DDB, Epsilon, and ARF. She holds a M.S. in Public Relations and Corporate Communications and a B.A. in Journalism from Renmin University of China.
Now in its third year, the Industry Connection Series has garnered a growing audience for innovative topics such as "VisuaLeadership," "The Performance Management Revolution," and "Design Thinking & Understanding Your Customer." Each session provides DPB students, faculty, alumni, and staff with leading-edge insights into current business trends and industry developments.
DPB is the largest division at NYU School of Professional Studies, with over 2,200 students, 500 faculty, and 6,700 alumni. The Division comprises four centers of excellence that educate leaders in the functional areas of an enterprise. Each department’s credit and non-credit portfolio of offerings serves students at every level of their careers, providing them with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in critical positions in their professional development.